Tube-capping machine



Feb. 27, 1923.- 1,446,542

W. L. BOON YTUBE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. '7, 1921 7 sheets-sheet 14 A T TORNEYS.

4 W. L. BOON TUBE CAPPING MACHINE Y Filed Nov. 7, 1921 '7 sheets-sheet 2 1 I R. 2%?6 165 45 30027 ZgQoM m A TTORNEYS.

'ebZ'Y, 11923.,

I W. L. BOON TI'JBE CAPPING MACHINE '7 sheets-sheet 3 Filed N'ov.

A TTORNEYS.

W. L BOON TUBE CAPPING MACHINE 7 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Nov.

INVEN TOR. W6 5i ,50477 BY Q/aZa-QP A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 27, 11923. W- L:

TUBE! CAPPING MACHINE BOQN ,7 sheetsvsheet 5 W. L. BOON TUBE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. '7, 1921 '7 sheets-sheet 6 ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 27, 1923. 1,446,512

W. L. BOON TUBE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. '7, 1921 7 sheets-sheet 7 INVEN TOR. 2%)?67 55 J5. flaw/1 BY/%M A TTORNEYS.

ILEASSACEIUSETTS.

PZQ'G EZAGEIINE.

TUEE-Cl Application filed November 7, 1921. Serial No. 513,402.

2'?) HZ?v'n zomfimey 0011mm: ejecting a misshepeneci or misplaced cup lie it known that I W13: L. Been, a from the feed-chute. sub ect oit iiing of Eng and, residing W 1th these and other ob ects 111 View, the

leiachines of which appended claims at Ole town North i. ttleboro 1n. the co int; invention consists 0t certain novel I0 n *x 1 1 g r v 7 1 1 1- 'L' 1 bristoi aim otate or lriasse :husetts, 1193313 or construction will he more 1 'e t W and i s ul improve-'- scribecl, and particularly poiltee out 111 the eoiricati fm. 111 the a eoinpeuyiiig drawii relates to 131' )rovements in 531 mm 1 15 2t side elevation of the i112 chine 1 1 n 11- 4 1 i iilfiCll )pi iing caps t the ends 01 fi lg'ure l 1s a s1 Le elevation OI the capticulerlv to oeo m "i: teedin 100361 sectioned on iine l-l 0ft a i i the ohj ect o;

p21 is 2 is an end elevation sectioned on cal oi *igtre l.

iigir 3 IS a top view or the show ng the uppe" 1 table pnrtiall orol'en also Lrolli away and with the ca -'ieecl1i1g hopper "eill 0 moved Figure 3* is a plan View of po *tion of.

1 the eeo-i'eeclin ho) )er illustretiiw' the cues i :3 l 9 x: A

being positioned to enter the eh i Ll'e is a plan VlGW Show Ti 1 enis; which is located he e 1 1 the upper 2116 Lower tables, the i trig moved and the A W I r i if, to cam illustrate the lo 1 A Figure 5 1s a i ed side elevation showing the upper 11 1d lower conning mechl i anlsms, a portion. t the ugoer L'ZGCllttlllSln l e (rap 1;. a 9- he f; in sectron.

V k [To i an 1 ewe-cl vioi'v iilu l lgt "(J s (in h the tube as being forced 'tlHOTigll the fingers into the cap.

Figure '7 is section on time 4 6, showiiig the beari'ig .vilGS in cylinder for preventing the gun on t 16 encl 1 the tribe from being clepositeo in cement i longer c lincler. s5

jneent Figure 8 shows the npher and lower b" mechanisms and toe common cl ire V Wh'eh hell 0p rte iu zure 9 ows rotatable gluing; hea t L1 in the act of being advanced from th-A gtiein esired ($113174; and receiving to the glue-applying goeitiei durml of the tube. ing); which movement it receives a 90 rotai the invention is tion. or automatically Figure 10 1S a top View ot the gluing; head illust 'ating the detent for assisting in locatmg and releasing tl e head in its proper open at'ing Slt]011l-3 Figure 11 is'a sectional side elevation illus trating the escapeinent mechanism for corn trolling the feed of the tubes an d also for re taining the tube while the cement is being; applied thereto. v I

vFigure l is a view ot'the tube fCQi'l-CQlb trolling mechanism sectioned on line ill-12;

- for automatically jl eeding a cap and. a tube to an assembling mechanism and utter a cap has been positioned on the tube the lat ter is then removed to a secondary position where another cap is fed and positioned on the opposite end of the tube, the double capped tube being subsequently discharged from the machine and the following is a detailed description o'l one means by which these results may be accomplished lVith reference to the drawings, 15 and 16 designate two spaced-apart. upper and lower tables which carry the operating mechanism, the same being" supported on the end frame 17.

'Located a short distance above this upper table 15 is a hopper '18 for supplyingcaps to the upper set of tube-capping mechanism and is shown as being: in drum form and as being supported in a fixed position on the tubular standard 1.9 from this upper table 15. Within this drum-shaped hopper is mounted rotatable saucer-slumped tray 20 mounted on the shaft 21 to be rotated rapidly froma drive pulley on the shaft 22 through a belt and pulley 224i. Bv whicn construction. a multiplicity oi? caps may be deposited into this hopper and the rapidly rotating member noses the heavier portion of the cap which is the head thereof to engage :Z'b oi? this sznicer-shaped rotor E20 and so move upward with its head. against the: reel suri ace oil the hopper and when in that posh tion the travel of the rotor causes these caps to move forward to ei'lga re the inset guide lip 23 and so be lieu out tl'n'ough the open mouth 37 in the side wall oil the hopper into the inclined teed, chute 29 whence they roll or slide by their own gravity down to its lower or teed-controlling end best illustrated in Figure 13.

During the time that the caps are being positioned in their feed chute, the tubular rue inclined surface memebrs which are in the present instance of short lengths, are led from a hopper (not shown) into the tube chute 30, see Figure 11, and in order to control the intermittent successive passage of the tube to the assembling mechanism 1 have provided a so-called escapement motion which comprises essentially a pair of pins 31 adapted to be positioned in front of the next tube to be l ed and at the same time draw downwardlya pair of clamping lingers 32 by action of the rocker arm which is driven from a shaft 22 (see Fig. &) through gears 8 through beveled gears 35, shaft 86, beveled. gears 37, shaft 42,-crank 38, and con necting rod 39 whereby the tube thus positioned is firmly held during the application of glue to the extremity thereof in the n'ianner hereinafter described.

After the glue or cement has plied to the tube the continued crank 38 withdraws the pins 31 taneously positions another set of pins 40 in front of the next succeedi 0 tube thereby holding back all of the feeding; row of tubes and releasing the single c ,mented tube to drop into assembling position.

After this cemented tube has been the pins 31 are again raised and the pins been aprotation of lO withdrawn permitting the next succeed,

ing tube to enter :ing position and r peat itseltl? intermittently.

The cemented tube when released rolls and be clamped in cement down its chute 30 and enters the plunger so this action continues to and simulreleased cylindc through an opening {llin its.

1 sioe.

When the tube is in position in this cylinder it; rests upon longitudinally-disposed wires see Figure 7, which prevent the;

tube from resting); directly upon the walls 01" the cylinder and so elilectually prevent the cemented stun-face of the tube from eontacting with the walls of the cylinder to gum the same.

In this cylinder 4 12 mounted ways movable plunger h; which is prov with u. downwardly-extending operatin pin 4'2 engaging; the groove 48 of the cam 50. The upper surtvce of this plunger is provided with a keyway 5i torcceix-c 9. hey to maintain proper alignmentduring; its can": driving;- reciprocating motion and in the forward end o'l this licywa-y .l

have lined an adjustable hardened v. eerie plate 53 for the purpose presently desrrilied. is the cam fill is rotated from the lilillll drive shaft 54!: through the worm 55 worm gear t 22, this plunger ll) advanced,

and shat i end en ug a that or the tube 57 adthe spring lingers which are secilred in spaced apart relation all about the inner end. of the cylinder 43 thus expanding these fingers to engage the flange of the cap 59,

which has been previmisly positioned by the action of mechanism presently described, the force oi which expanding action acting upon the cap support by the cap-head serves to accurately shape the cap to readily re ceive the end oi? the tube.

is these fingers are extremely thin they permit the end of the tube to enter the tlange of the cap and the continued forward motion of the plunger lli moves the capped tube and the capping head from the position shown in full lines to that shown in dotted lines see Figure 5, against the tension of spring 61 which acts upon the rod (32 on the outer end of which this capping head is supported In order to cetain this capping head in its extended position while the plunger i6 is being retracted to release the tube and permit it to roll down the chute 63 into position to receive the next cap l have mounted a catch member on a fixed collar 65 on this rod 62 which is engaged by the latch 66 which under pressure of spring 3? causes its free end 68 to engage the a ch fi l and so retain the cai aping head in ex tended position for a sutiicient period to re-' lease its capped tube and also to permit another cap to be fed into assembling position. This cap-feeding mechanism is con trolled in its action by a collar (59 on the capping head rod 62 which at its last inward motion is caused to engage the lever 70 and swing the escapem'ent latch 71 out wardly against its spring tension to permit the retalned cap to advance one step down the chute to be engaged by the opposite latch finger 71 where the cap is ready to be released to drop into the padded hook ii'nmediately upon the first return movement of the capping head and its rod which permits the latch 71 to return to normal.

As the plunger as is being ret rned by the continued rotation of the cam 50 the inclined portion 73 of'the trip wedge 53 rides under the end of the latch 68 withdrawing its free end from the catch 64 pe initting the rod 32 and its capping head to more back under action oi? the spring 61 into position to engage the fresh cap lying in the hook 72. [is it is found necessary to move th s cap slowly from its first deposited por, on in the hook forward over the ends oi? the expanding fingers, l have mounted it piston T l (see Fig. 5) on the rod ("2 enter a cylinder 7'? to term a dashpot and so check or permit a slow last ad \ancing movement of the coming head. a pet rock 76 being provided for cmitrolling the csca 'ie oi. air iron) the dash-pot to denine the extent of the cushioning effect. liter :1, ca has been positioned on or e end of the tube as heretofore explained. the tube is released to drop into chute 63 where it rolls down to engage the escape nient pins '1 tained by a. clamp 7?) which mechanism is duplicate of that above described in the upper capping mechanism. l'lere is a pad'lS) on the second gluing head 80 is caused to engage the end the tube after which it is released to roll down 1nto the plun er tube 81 to be advanced by the plunger 82 through a set oi spring fingers 83 to engage the cap 8% and force back the capping head 85 to the dotted position where it is retained by a pawl 86 engaging a catch 8? when a receding motion or the plunger 82 by the continued rotation of the cam 86 releases the tube with caps on both ends to drop into any suitable receptacle or be conducted away in any suitable manner, not shown.

It is found in practice very desiral from a practical standpoint to apply 1 to the very end or extremity of the rather than onto any portion of surface so that the glue thus deposited will not come in direct contact with any of the parts over which it passes while in transit to the cap. To accomplish this gluing or cementing operation in a simple and effective way I have provided an upper tanl: S8 in which glue or cement is deposited and in this tank l rotate a depositing roll 89 with a step-bystep action to deposit tliie V v 4 1 -v w 1 11 I glue upon an endicss t1. avehug belt or a pron back and forth in its hearings 9% by meansof a pivot rocker arm 95 through the crank 96 which is rotated from the cam shaft 22 through gears 97, shaft 98, gears 99, shaft 100 and beveled gears 101. iis slide arm carri s a pawl 102 which at each Forward .lOtlOIl engages a tooth of the ratchet 103 to rotate the roll 89 with a stcp-by-step action and which rotating action is communicatedto the belt to present freshly glued supplying surface to the reciprocating glue head pads 91.

As arm 93 moves forward with its glue head the pins-10dinthis head successh engage the upstanc: in the fixed block 106 causing the head to rotate 90 in order to present a freshly charged glue pad to the end of each successive tube. As this slide arm returns the (in c action of llil provide some means for obtaining and completing a definite movement of the gluing head so as to insure the pads being accurately placed and retained in each gluesupplying position. To accomplish this in here it is arrested and re.

a simple and efiective way I have provided a squared block 108 on the glue head shaft 109, as best illustrated in Figure 10 and in the hearing bracket I have mounted a springpressed plunger 110 adapted to press with sufficient force against the corresponding squared surfaces of the block 108 to insure the completion of each rotating action and retain the head squarely in each operating position.

The mechanism for applying glue to the second or uncapped end of the tube, is a duplicate f that just described and is operated from shaft 100 through the pivot arm 118 to reciprocate the slide 119 and so intermittently and successively present pads 79 of the glue-head 80 to the end of the tube 57 prior to its receiving a cap thereon in the manner above described, the glue being supplied to the glue-head from a tank 122, glue roll 1.23 and belt 124.

t is found in practice of importance that the glue or cement should be of the proper tacky or sticky consistency before being applied to, the work, to insure which result I have provided the belt 90 which permits the glue to dry somewhat before being taken up by the pads, and then again I permit each pad to rest for one step in the rotation of the head to give the glue further time in which to dry before being applied to the tube, thus obtaining the maximum binding effectiveness, with the minimum amount of glue, then again the thus thickened or tacky glue will not run and drop onto anc gum up the ad jacent parts which would prevent the accurate working of the machine.

It is found in practice that in some instances caps are fed from the hopper into the .chute in reverse position and it is also found in some instances that the caps enter the chute in amutilated condition in both of which cases it is desirable to eject such misplaced or misshapened caps before being advanced to assembling-position. To accomplish this in a simple and, effective way, I

have provided a rotatable brush 111 on shaft 112, which is rapidly revolved from the cam shaft 22 through a belt 113 (see Fig. 2), the bristles of the brush being adapted to enter the opening 115 in the cap-chute 29 to en'- gage the misplaced or misshapened caps and eject them from the chute.

I do not wish to be restricted to this particular type of ejecting device as any other suitable means may be employed for accomplishing this purpose. I. have applied this ejecting device to both the cap-chute 29 and the cap-chute 116 which latter feeds from the-hopper '11? to supply caps for the lower capping mechanism, the construction and action of which hopper is a duplicate of the hopper 18 prevously described.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the, construction illustrated,

' its guide chute.

but I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a tube-capping machine, the com bination with tube and means, of a hopper for receiving a multi plicity of caps, a feed-chute leading therefrom, and means in said hopper for turning the caps on edge and passing them successively into the feed chute. I j

2. In a tube-capping machine, the combination with tube and cap-assembling means, of a hopper for receiving a multicapassembling1 plicity of caps, and means in said hopper I for turning the caps on edge with their heads against the wall and so conducting them into the feed chute.

3. In a tube-capping machine, the combination with tube and cap-assembling means, of a hopper for receiving a multiplicity of caps, and a rotatable member in said hopper having an inclined portion for properly positioning the caps by centrifugal action to feed them successively into the feed chute.

41. In a tube-capping machine, the combination with the tube and cap-assembling means, a hopper for receiving a multiplicity of caps, a rotor in said hopper having means for turning the caps on edge and revolving erly positioned cap from said chute.

6. Ina tube-capping machine, the combination with the tube' and cap-assembling means, a feed chute for conducting the caps successively to the applying. mechanism, and s a rotatable member mounted to engage an improperly positioned cap to eject it from 7. In a tube-capping machine, the combination with the tube and cap-assembling means, a feed chute for conducting the caps to the assembling means, said chute being provided with an opening in its rear wall, and a movable member adapted to reach into said opening to engageand e'xpel misplaced and. misshapenedcaps from said chute.

8. In a tube-capping machine, the combination. with means for assembling Hgl'A'XbG and a cap, of a feed chute, means for de positing caps successively to be fed through said chute to the assembling mechanism said chute having'a sight opening wall through vhichthe advancing of the caps may be observed.

9. ln a tube-capping machine, cap feeding mechanism, a tube-supplying magazine, means operated in time with the cap-iceding mechanism for comrolling the successive supply teed oil said tubes, a pad operated i i, ie with said supply control for applying ccn'ient to the extremity of the tube, and means for applyl lg cap to the cemented end of the tube as they are presented. to ach other.

10. in a tu foe-cappiug machine, the combination of for presenti caps in succession to be applied to the end of tubes, means for successively feeding tubes to receive the caps on their ends, a latch member arranged adjacent the path of the feed of the caps and normally checking the successive feed of the caps to capping position, actuated by the movement of said tube feeding means for operating said latch to release the next succeeding cap after each capping operation.

11. in a tube-capping machine, the combination of a cap ieeding mechanism including a discharge chute, a tube feeding means for feeding tubes to the delivery portion or said chute, whereby the tubes and caps may be assembled, an escapement mechanism for controlling the successive feed of the caps in said chute, said escapement ing a roclnshal t having mechanism incl. oppositely extending arms, each having a detent adapted to extend in said chute, and means actuated by the movement of said tube feeding means for cont-rolling the a;- tion of said escapement to release the caps one at a time to move into assembling position.

12. in a tube-capping machine, in combination of tube and cap-feeding means, a tube and cap assembii mechanism comprising means for SllPPOltlDQ' a cap in tube receiving position, a cylinder for receiving the tubes successively, and a plunger in said cylinder for advancing the tube onto the cap; an escapement mechanism for controlling the capieed to said supporting means, an escapement mechanism for controlling the tube feed to said cylinder means, and means whereby both escapements are operated in time with e 2h other and with the movements of said plunger.

12-3. in a tube-capping machine, the combination of a cap-feeding means, a tube receiving cylinder having a lateral entrcace opening in the side thereof, means for 2 in ing the caps successively at one end of said tube, means for disposing tubes successively into said cylinder, means for applying cuuent to an end of the tubeto be capped, a plurality of longitudinal disposed guide wir s arranged about the inner periphery oi? said cylinder for supporting the tube out of contact with the inner surface of the i m' V111 a 4: a cylinder. and a lunger or sale, c inuci lo advancing the tubes through one end of the cylinder into engagement with said caps.

14:. In a tube-capping machine, an assembling guide, means for feeding a plurality oi caps successively to said guide, a rcciprocable capping head for advancing the caps, as fed, toward said guide, means for 'lj'xeding tubes succe vely to said guide as the caps are presented to the latter, tubeadvancing means for moving the tube and cap to assemble engagement and for causing said capping head to recede to tube discharging position, m ans for retaining said capping head in discharge position while the tube-advancing means recedes from discharging position, and means onsaid ad vancing means for releasing said capping heac during its receding movement, Whereby the capping head engages the next successively fed cap and moves it to assembling position.

15. A tube-capping machine, as set forth in claim 14-, further characterized by a second guide member arranged to have the opposite uncapped ends of the discharged tubes presented therebefore, a second capping head for advancing successively fed caps to said second guide, and tube-advanc ing means arranged to move said tubes into assembling engagement with said caps and to move the tubes and second capping head to tube discharging position, substantially as set forth.

16. In a' tube-capping machine, a tube receiving cylinder means for feeding tubes successively into said cylinder, means for successively feeding caps to one end of said cylinder, a reciprocable capping head for moving each cap, advanced, in assembling position at said end of the cylinder, a plunger in said cylinder for moving said tubes through said end thereof into assembled engagement with said cap and to move said capping head to recede from its assembling position to a tube discharging position, means for locking said capping head in its tube discharging position, means on the plunger for re leasing said capping head on its return movement "from tube discharging position.

17.111 a tube-camping machine, an assembling guide, means for feeding tubes successively to said guide, means for feed ing caps successively to said guide, a recipro-cablc capping head for advancing and positioning each cap relative to said guide for an embling operation, a plunger associated with said guide for advancing the tube toward said cap into assembling relation and to move said capp ng head therewith, to a tube discharging position, means for reciprocating said plunger, n'ieans normally urging said apping head to assembling position, latch means for retainspring guide fingers, a movable ing said capping head substantially in its discharge position, and means on said plunger engageable with said latch means to release said capping head on the return movement of said plunger. 7

18. In a tube-capping machine, a relatively stationary tube-cylinder, a plurality of guide spring and cap-shaping fingers at one end of said cylinder, operable means for positioning the caps as fed over the ends of said fingers, means for depositing tubes successively into said cylinder and a plunger in said cylinder for advancing the tubes through said fingers into the cap, whereby the expanding of said fingers shapes the cap to receive the tube end.

19. In a tube-capping machine, a set of springguide fingers, a movable capplng head for advancing the caps as fed over the ends of said fingers, means for feeding the tubes successively through said fingers into the caps as presented, the tubev advanc'- ing means causing said head with its capped means recede to release and discharge the capped tube.

21. In atube-capping machine, a set of capping head for advancing the caps as fed over the ends of said fingers, means for feeding the tubes successively through said fingers into the caps as presented, said head being adapted to recede as the tube-advancing means move forward causing its capped tube to also recede to tube discharging position, means for retaining the capping head in discharging position while the tube-advancing means recedes to release and discharge the capped tube, and means whereby the return movement of said advancing means releases said head to return to cap-engaging position.

22. In a'tube-capping machine, a set of spring guide fingers, a capping head for ad vancing the caps as fed. over the ends of said fingers, means for feeding the tubes successively through said fingers into the caps as presented, said head being yieldably mounted whereby the tube advancing means cause said head with its capped tube to recede to tube discharging position, means for retainin the cap Jin head while the tube advancing means recede to release and discharge the capped tube, means whereby the return movement of said advancing means releases said head to return to cap-engaging position, and a'dash-pot for controlling the movement of said capping iead while it is moving the cap over the ends of said fingers.

23. In a tube-capping machine, the combination with a tube and cap assemblinginechanism, means for feeding the tubes, means for arresting each tube during its feeding movement, and a cement carrying pad for applying cement to the end of the tube while arrested.

24. In a tube-capping machine, the combination with a tube and cap assembling mechanism, means for feeding the tubes, means for arresting each tube during its feeding movement, means for applying cement to the extremity of theItube-while arrested, and a rotatable head carrying a p1urality of cement pads adapted to successively deposit cement 011 the ends of the tube as fed.

25. In a tube capping machine, the combination with a tube and cap assembling mechanism, means for feeding the tubes, a cement receptacle, an endless belt, a roll in said receptacle for depositing cement onto said belt, and means-for receiving the cement from said belt and depositing it successively upon 1 the tubes.

26. In a tube-capping machine, the combination with a tube and cap assembling mechanism, means for feeding the tubes, a cement receptacle, (n endless belt, stroll in said receptacle for depositing cement onto said belt, and a receptacle ,head carrying a plurality of pads for successively receiving cement from said belt and depositing same upon the ends of the tubes.

27. In a tube-capping machine, vthe combination with av tube and cap assembling mechanism, means for feeding the tubes, a cement receptacle, an endless belt, a roll in said receptacle for depositingbement onto said belt, a rotatable head carrying a plurality of pads for successively receiving cement from said belt and depositing same upon the ends of the tubes, and-av combined reciprocating and rotatable head member carrying a plurality of pads adapted to successively receive cement from saidbelt and apply it. to the ends of the tubes.

28.. In a tube-capping machine, the combination with a tube and cap-assembling mechanism, a rotatable glue head, a plurality of glue pads carried by, said head for applying glue to the tube, and means for permitting the glue on the pads to dry for apredetermined period after receiving and before applying the tube. a

29. In a tube-capping machine the combination with atube and cap assembling mechanism, a rotatable glue head, a plurality of glue pads carried by said heads for applying the glue successively .to the tubes, and a stepby-step means for rotating said head whereby each pad is caused to rest for a predetermined period after receiving and before applying the glue to the tube.

30. in a tube-capping machine, a relative stationary tube-cylinder, a plurality of guide spring and cap-shaping fingers at one end of said cylinder, movable means for positioning the caps as fed over the ends of said fingers, means for depositing tubes succes- 10 sively into said cylinder and a plunger in said cylinder for advancing the tubes through said fingers into the cap whereby the expanding of said fingers shapes the cap to receive the tube end, said cap positioning means being movable in the general direction of the advancing movement of said tubes, whereby said tubes move to a discharging position.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

WHJFRED 1Q. BOON. 

